A nine-member musical group called the Viennese Vegetable Orchestra entertained a German audience by playing instruments made of raw vegetables during last month’s "Eat It" exhibition at the Kampnagel Art Center in Hamburg.

An hour before each performance, the Austrian group slices, reshapes and assembles fresh vegetables, including cucumbers, carrots, leeks, potatoes, radishes, peppers, eggplant and marrow, for playing. Imagine a flute made out of carrot or a saxophone that somewhat resembles the color and shape of a cucumber.

The texture, size and water content are key to creating the right sound of each instrument.

Time is also a factor during the concert. Orchestra members apply damp towels on each instrument during the show when they’re not being used. That’s a good thing: Some concertgoers noticed the aroma of raw vegetables during the show.

One orchestra member, who played a violin made of leeks, said instruments made of non-organic vegetables "sound" a lot better than organics.

Independent Online May 24, 2004